Obama's Nuke-Free World Plan Stirs Debate

[grey boy 2]

US' nuke-free world plan stirs debate
+ - 08:46, September 24, 2009

While US President Barack Obama is expected to reiterate his hopes on Thursday for a world free of nuclear weapons, Chinese nuclear strategists remain divided on whether China should follow suit.

Some warned that the growing trend of nuclear disarmament is detrimental to China's national interests, while others said eradicating nuclear weapons will eventually benefit China, given the fact that it is surounded by nuclear nations.

An online poll conducted yesterday by huanqiu.com, the website of the Global Times' Chinese edition, shows Internet users also held split views on whether China should follow the US and Britain.

About 51 percent of respondents agreed that China should follow the US and Britain's call, while 49 percent disagreed.

Leaders of the US, Russia, China, France and Britain will debate a resolution today at an unprecedented UN Nuclear Summit chaired by Obama.

The resolution will call for stepped-up efforts to reduce nuclear stockpiles and a worldwide initiative to achieve nuclear non-proliferation.
British Prime Minster Gordon Brown is also expected to announce a cut on submarines capable of firing nuclear weapons, from four to three, according to Reuters.

The moves are widely deemed a way to lay the groundwork for the 2010 nuclear Non- Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference.

Dai Xu, an air force colonel and military strategist, said eradicating nuclear weapons will eventually bring China more benefit than harm, and "China can absolutely support the US call."

"Five out of seven nuclear-armed nations are surrounding China," Dai said. "Therefore, a nuclear-free world will mean less threats to China, which owns more advanced conventional weapons."

Shi Xiamin, a nuclear non-proliferation specialist with the military, noted to the Global Times the mulitlateralism involved in Obama's decisions, adding that "major nuclear powers in the West realized it was in their interest to minimize nuclear weapons."

However, Shi said China should be cautious about the US-led nuclear cuts.
The US and Russia have 95 percent of all nuclear weapons on the planet. If the US asks all nuclear countries to cut by proportion, what remain in Britain, France, China, India and Pakistan will be minimal, which Shi called unfair.

Source:Global Times

US' nuke-free world plan stirs debate - People's Daily Online
[1] [2]

 

[SinoIndusFriendship]

US' nuke-free world plan stirs debate
+ - 08:46, September 24, 2009

.............

Shi Xiamin, a nuclear non-proliferation specialist with the military, noted to the Global Times the mulitlateralism involved in Obama's decisions, adding that "major nuclear powers in the West realized it was in their interest to minimize nuclear weapons."

However, Shi said China should be cautious about the US-led nuclear cuts.
The US and Russia have 95 percent of all nuclear weapons on the planet. If the US asks all nuclear countries to cut by proportion, what remain in Britain, France, China, India and Pakistan will be minimal, which Shi called unfair.

Source:Global Times

US' nuke-free world plan stirs debate - People's Daily Online
[1] [2]

The devils is in the details.

 

[grey boy 2]

Sino; No surprise, I don't think you can find Fair and square in their

Dictionary.

 

[DaRk WaVe]

Ahhhh
as For England, critics there are very much against the move of Gordon Brown for reducing the Nuclear Sub marines & all

PM: Britain Ready To Cut Nuclear Sub Fleet

Gordon Brown has said he is willing to cut Britain's fleet of Trident missile-carrying submarines from four to three as part of global disarmament efforts.


Gordon Brown has said he is willing to cut Britain's fleet of Trident missile-carrying submarines from four to three as part of global disarmament efforts.

In an address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the Prime Minister called for all nations to come together to achieve the long-term ambition of a nuclear-free world.

"If we are serious about the ambition of a nuclear-free world we will need statesmanship, not brinkmanship," he said.
Mr Brown outlined the details of his offer at a special meeting summoned by US President Barack Obama on the issue of nuclear non-proliferation.
But Mr Brown made clear he was making no proposals on further reductions in the UK's stockpile of warheads, which has already been cut from 200 to 160 under Labour.
And he dismissed suggestions that his initiative was motivated by the need to save money and reduce the Government's deficit.
"Obviously there are cost implications in every decision, but that is not what is uppermost in our mind," he said.
Critics say the reduction will make little difference to the UK's overall capability and could be seen as a convenient way to reduce the deficit in the public finances.

Sky's political editor Adam Boulton said the Prime Minister needed to make a political gesture.

"There is a lot of talk about cuts and the costs of the Trident programme.

"Any gesture where Gordon Brown can say that they are not going to waste any money is good domestic politics for him."

Kate Hudson, of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), said her organisation welcomed the move, but urged the Government to press ahead with further cuts.
Mr Obama has declared his intention to try to strike a deal with Moscow to reduce the respective US and Russian stockpiles of warheads, which together make up 95% of the world's total.
It comes as world leaders consider how best to stop the spread of weapons to existing non-nuclear states.
Britain is proposing a "global bargain" which would see the nuclear states provide non-nuclear nations with the technology for civil nuclear power in return for binding assurances that they will not develop weapons.
Trident Nuclear Submarine Cutback: Gordon Brown Offers To Reduce Nuclear Capacity | Politics | Sky News
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It just one of other jokes, many Times Russia & US has 'agreed' to
reduce Nuclear stockpile but nothing Sub substantial has happened,just beating of Drums & then back to good old days

& in article posted by grey boy, this para is interesting

"The moves are widely deemed a way to lay the groundwork for the 2010 nuclear Non- Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference"

NPT, wow